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Argentine ant vs Pharaoh ant

How does the Argentine ant compare to the Pharaoh ant? They are both members of the Formicidae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.

Argentine ant
Pharaoh ant

Side-by-side comparison

Argentine ant
Pharaoh ant
Scientific name
Linepithema humile
Monomorium pharaonis
Classification
Invertebrate
Invertebrate
Family
Formicidae
Formicidae
Habitat
Urban areas, forests, grasslands, agricultural lands
Human dwellings and heated buildings
Diet
Omnivore
Omnivore
Conservation status
Least Concern
Least Concern
Lifespan
1 to 2 years (workers), up to several years (queens)
4-12 months (workers), up to 12 months (queens)
Weight
0.0004–0.001 g
0.5–2 mg

Argentine ant vs Pharaoh ant: who would win?

Argentine ant

Argentine ant

0.0004–0.001 g

VS
Pharaoh ant

Pharaoh ant

0.5–2 mg

Pharaoh ant wins high confidence

Pharaoh ant is substantially heavier (0.5–2 mg vs 0.0004–0.001 g). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.

Similarities

  • Both are invertebrates.
  • Both belong to the Formicidae family.
  • Both have a omnivore diet.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern.

Differences

  • Habitat: Urban areas, forests, grasslands, agricultural lands vs Human dwellings and heated buildings.
  • Weight: 0.0004–0.001 g vs 0.5–2 mg.

Argentine ant vs Pharaoh ant: FAQ

Who would win in a fight, a Argentine ant or a Pharaoh ant?

Pharaoh ant wins. Pharaoh ant is substantially heavier (0.5–2 mg vs 0.0004–0.001 g). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.

What is the difference between a Argentine ant and a Pharaoh ant?

Argentine ant and Pharaoh ant differ in several ways — habitat: urban areas, forests, grasslands, agricultural lands vs human dwellings and heated buildings. weight: 0.0004–0.001 g vs 0.5–2 mg.

Do Argentine ant and Pharaoh ant live in the same habitat?

No — Argentine ant lives in urban areas, forests, grasslands, agricultural lands, while Pharaoh ant is found in human dwellings and heated buildings.

What do Argentine ant and Pharaoh ant eat?

Both Argentine ant and Pharaoh ant have a omnivore diet.

Which is more endangered, the Argentine ant or the Pharaoh ant?

Argentine ant is listed as Least Concern, while Pharaoh ant is listed as Least Concern.

How big are Argentine ant and Pharaoh ant?

Argentine ant weighs around 0.0004–0.001 g, while Pharaoh ant weighs around 0.5–2 mg.

Argentine ant

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Argentine ant

Pharaoh ant

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Pharaoh ant